Infidels
by Bob Dylan

I'm suprised to see this album so low ranked compared to the rest of Bob Dylan's. You can find Mark Knopfler (Dire Straits) solo guitars like in Sweetheart like you, Dylan's voice as strong as ever on Jokerman and other good songs like I an I or closing ballad Don't fall apart on me tonight. If you are a Dylan fan you must listen to this album.

Dylan's first album after his bible bashing trilogy. It's a very slick record with a pop sheen production by Mark Knopfler. It's gone for the kind of sound he had on slow train coming. It's an album of two halves in a way, four good songs and four so-so tracks. Best of the bunch is opener, jokerman. It's Dylan using poetic imagery again. Despite a terrible synthesized harmonica solo, it's a wonderful song. Also very good is, sweetheart like you, with some nice guitar from Knopfler. I and I, and, licence to kill are other standouts. The rest is ok. Neighborhood bully is boring, and union sundown's not great. Man of peace, is alright, and, don't fall apart on me tonight, is Dylan's attempt at a power ballad. It's incredible to think that blind Willie mcctell, was recorded at the sessions, but not issued on the album. Odd, as it's one of Bob's strongest songs of the eighties. All in all, somewhere in between not bad and good.

Personally, I would say that Dylan's infamous 80's period contains just as strong song writing as any other period in his long career. The big difference with this decade though, is the production. We all know there was a lot of pressure on artists to conform to the newest trends - those being the frequented use of computers, drum machines, synthesizers, etc. The use of these tools in the studio - though benefiting other artists of the decade - was not a strong suit to Dylan's music. A raw, personal, more heartfelt sound has always been his home. And though he eventually learnt to use the 80's sound to a lesser degree with 'Oh Mercy! (1989) - proving to be quite successful - it was really only a matter of time till he returned to his true, talent showing production, as used on 'Time Out of Mind' - as well as his subsequent albums.

I feel this theory of mine is best proven when looking back on the tracks that somehow managed to escape the '80's sound'. And none managed this moreso than his belated release of the apparent "demo" of 'Blind Willie Mctell' - a true revelation of Dylan's continual song writing talent, well throughout the 80's, and beyond.

In conclusion, 'Infidels' - along with some of the other 80's albums - is not a bad album. Not at all. Rather, it is a badly produced album - in a most unflattering way. And personally, I think Dylan should return to the studio from whence it came, and redeem it.

One of the better 80s albums from the growler. 80s production issues aside, this is a decent collection of songs, and Dylan seems to actually be bothered enough to perform them. Standout tracks are Sweetheart Like You (if you can get past the horrifically sexist lyrics), Man of Peace and Union Sundown.

From rockinsteve 07/17/2018 01:31 | #218366 | TOP COMMENT Vote up your preferred comments and the comments with the most votes will be flagged.

Decent album by Mr. Dylan. The best part of this one is the guitar work by Mark Knopfler. The slide guitar on "Union Sundown" is VERY nice! If you're a fan of Bob's work, pick this one up.